An independent consulting company has ruled that tobacco companies have lost a significant chunk of their market, and the 1998 $246 billion settlement they reached with states is partly to blame. The companies have been paying the states, but some provisions of the agreement have helped reduce the cash they fork over, and this latest ruling relates to one of those. Kai talks with Helen Palmer from the Health Desk at WGBH.

Ever since the first test tube baby 28 years ago, the use of fertility treatments has become common. But they haven't become any cheaper. A while ago, we told you about a program that grants the cost of a fertility cycle to would-be parents who can't afford it. Lisa Napoli followed one couple who was chosen to participate.

Officials with the US Department of Agriculture are in Japan, trying to convince that government that American beef is safe to eat and should be allowed back on menus in Japanese restaurants. Helen Palmer reports.

A water-tasting challenge calls attention to the quality of bottled water and tap water while raising awareness about people in the world who don't have access to enough clean water. Lisa Napoli reports.